gallbladder surgery

Previously, when gallbladder removalwas necessary, the surgeons would offer to treat the patient with open surgery. This technique involves making a large incision in the abdomen of the patient to remove the gallbladder. Top gallbladder surgeons now offer laparoscopic surgery as an alternative to open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery involves making smaller incisions on the abdomen allowing tiny instruments to enter the body and perform the actual operation. Since the incisions made are much smaller, the patient usually feels less pain and discomfort. Also, this minimally invasive procedure involves a shorter recovery time compared to open surgery.Robotic gallbladder surgery is the latest breakthrough in minimally invasive surgical technology. This technique is similar to laparoscopic surgery, but involves the use of a robot performing the surgery with the surgeon at a control center. Some of the benefits of robotic gallbladder surgery include greater surgical precision and decreased patient pain after surgery.

Gallstone formation is the most common cause of gallbladder problems. These stones are usually cholesterol deposits that typically form in the gallbladder, but can also move into the bile duct, a tube connecting the intestines to the gallbladder. The movement of the gallstones into the duct usually leads to blockage, and this condition makes the patient experience gallbladder pain and symptoms. There are certain groups of people who are more susceptible to developing gallstones. This group includes overweight patients who are more than 40 years of age. Females with children are also at risk of developing gallstones. Gallstones are also still very common even in patients without these factors. Gallbladder symptoms are not hard to detect. Several symptoms can be used as good predictors. Among the most common are the following:

While these symptoms are possible indicators of gallbladder problems, an accurate diagnosis must be made by a qualified physician prior to making treatment recommendations. In most cases, a doctor will recommend that the patient be tested using an ultrasound. This technique offers a picture of the body’s internal organs by using sound waves. In case the ultrasound test becomes inconclusive, the doctor may also order a CT scan or a HIDA scan. The HIDA scan makes use of a special dye, which is easily traceable in the body and shows how well a person’s bile duct and gallbladder are functioning.

Laparoscopic/robotic gallbladder surgery is a convenient and straightforward procedure. It is usually conducted using the following steps.

Before the surgery is performed, patients are administered with general anesthesia. To reduce any pain or discomfort caused by the procedure, and to allow complete relaxation of the abdominal muscles for the planned surgery. The patient is asleep during the entire process and does not experience any sensations during the procedure.

The gallbladder surgeon makes several small incisions in the patient’s abdomen. Then a small narrow tube is passed into the abdomen. Carbon dioxide gas is then pumped through the tube inflate the abdomen and allow the surgeon to get a better view of the patient’s internal organs and anatomy.

Once inflated, a tiny high-resolution camera is inserted into the abdomen through another tube. The camera is used to transmit images back to a console in the operating room monitored by the surgeon.

As soon as the gallbladder surgeon has a clear picture of the patient’s anatomy, instruments are inserted to perform the operation. The gallbladder is removed through one of the incisions. In some cases, a robot assists with the operation (robotic gallbladder surgery).

In these situations, the surgery is performed the same way. The only difference is that the doctor guides the robot instead of manipulating the instruments directly through the console. An x-ray of the bile duct and gallbladder may be taken during robotic gallbladder surgery to pinpoint the exact location of the gallstones and to determine if any stones are blocking the bile duct. After the gallbladder removal, the patient is generallyallowed to go home that same day. However, there are cases when the patient is not discharged immediately. Admission to the hospital is rarely necessary with minimally invasive surgery.